Local NGO to conduct “Workshop Courage” for societal change
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) --- A non-government organization in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental is inviting interested participants to their “Workshop Courage”, an activity aimed at inspiring and motivating citizens to make societal change.
Workshop Courage will be held on June 21 to 22, 2012 at Lawak Kauswagan, Foundation University Main Campus in Dumaguete City.
Former presidential aspirant Nicanor “Nicky” Perlas will be the main workshop facilitator during the two-day activity.
Perlas is a known speaker, writer, author, and environmentalist who has been conducting Workshop Courage sessions in the country and abroad. He was also a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award, also known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize” in 2003.
The workshop is initiated by Movement of Imaginals for a Sustainable Society through Initiatives, Organizing and Networking or MISSION-Dumaguete Node, a group composed of residents from Dumaguete City who are committed to creating a better society.
Members are engaged in inclusive development, environmental regeneration, relevant education, organic farming and bamboo propagation, etc.
“We believe that each of our own individual efforts and initiatives, when brought together, can create a transformative impact in our community,” said Esther Windler, a local environmentalist who is one of the prime movers behind the group.
Windler said the workshop aims to awaken the “creative imaginal” within each person. “The term imaginal comes from the science of biology meaning the cells that are present in the caterpillar of the butterfly that are quiet during the cocoon stage but eventually clumps together to form part of the adult butterfly,” she explained.
She hopes that the workshop will help produce “imaginal individuals” or citizens who will ultimately change society when brought together for social transformation.
Registration fee for the workshop is P1,000 inclusive of lunch and snacks.
Interested participants may call Terry Windler at (035) 421-1125 and 0906-576-7185. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental with reports from Analou Suan)
===========
Valencia, NegOr records increase of diarrhea cases due to Sendong
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 12 (PIA) -- Flash floods brought by tropical storm Sendong inflicted significant increase on the recorded cases of diarrhea in the municipality of Valencia, according to Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Fe Tagimacruz.
Some 122 residents in 20 villages of Valencia town were downed with diarrhea during the last two weeks.
Dr. Tagimacruz has alerted the residents to boil their drinking water properly for at least 20 to 30 minutes to avoid waterborne diseases.
Based on initial evaluation, the incidence could have triggered by contaminated drinking water sources from an artesian or deep wells and water spring.
Tagimacruz said due to the total damaged of water resources and facilities in Valencia brought by typhoon Sendong on December 17 last year, the water contamination could not be avoided
At present, some water resources in the town have been tested positive for E.coli bacteria.
According to Department of Health (DOH), the Escherichia coli or E.coli comes from human and animal wastes and if ingested can lead to severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
The presence of E. coli bacteria in the water supply can be attributed to the floods brought by Sendong which strongly hit Valencia town.
Thus, local health official urged the people in all affected areas not to drink the water from any water sources in the area until being appropriately boiled.
Diarrhea-like symptoms show severe loose bowel movement, vomiting and stomach ache. (PIA-NegOr/mbcn/JCT)
==========
Guihulngan village to get water systems project
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) --- A remote village in Guihulngan town will soon have access to potable drinking water after Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo pledged to pour funds for a water systems project in the area.
Gov. Degamo made the pledge before village officials of Brgy. Hibaiyo, Guihulngan during his recent visit there to attend a barangay assembly accompanied by Guihulngan Mayor Ernesto Reyes.
The barangay’s officials have earlier requested the provincial government to set up a water systems project in their area, said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo.
Sedillo said the governor has set aside funds amounting to half a million pesos for said water project in Brgy. Hibaiyo.
He also promised to provide funds for the completion of the village’s construction of a road pavement and a Multi-Purpose Building.
“The governor saw for himself the need for these facilities in the village especially for the building as a venue during barangay assemblies,” said Sedillo.
The governor, during the assembly, disclosed that Guihulngan town is one of the local government units (LGUs) in the province that will benefit from health and infrastructure projects for this year.
Among said projects include the construction of roads in the town’s hinterland areas, schools, and wáter systems, etc. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)